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Ter Meulen BC, Maas ET, van der Vegt R, Haumann J, Weinstein HC, Ostelo RWJG, van Dongen JM. Cost-effectiveness of Transforaminal epidural steroid injections for patients with ACUTE sciatica: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2024; 25:247. [PMID: 38561748 PMCID: PMC10983727 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-024-07366-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transforaminal epidural injections with steroids (TESI) are increasingly being used in patients sciatica. The STAR (steroids against radiculopathy)-trial aimed to evaluate the (cost-) effectiveness of TESI in patients with acute sciatica (< 8 weeks). This article contains the economic evaluation of the STAR-trial. METHODS Participants were randomized to one of three study arms: Usual Care (UC), that is oral pain medication with or without physiotherapy, n = 45); intervention group 1: UC and transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TESI) 1 ml of 0.5% Levobupivacaine and 1 ml of 40 mg/ml Methylprednisolone and intervention group 2: UC and transforaminal epidural injection (TEI) with 1 ml of 0,5% Levobupivacaine and 1 ml of 0.9% NaCl (n = 50). The primary effect measure was health-related quality of life. Secondary outcomes were pain, functioning, and recovery. Costs were measured from a societal perspective, meaning that all costs were included, irrespective of who paid or benefited. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputation, and bootstrapping was used to estimate statistical uncertainty. RESULTS None of the between-group differences in effects were statistically significant for any of the outcomes (QALY, back pain, leg pain, functioning, and global perceived effect) at the 26-weeks follow-up. The adjusted mean difference in total societal costs was €1718 (95% confidence interval [CI]: - 3020 to 6052) for comparison 1 (intervention group 1 versus usual care), €1640 (95%CI: - 3354 to 6106) for comparison 2 (intervention group 1 versus intervention group 2), and €770 (95%CI: - 3758 to 5702) for comparison 3 (intervention group 2 versus usual care). Except for the intervention costs, none of the aggregate and disaggregate cost differences were statistically significant. The maximum probability of all interventions being cost-effective compared to the control was low (< 0.7) for all effect measures. CONCLUSION These results suggest that adding TESI (or TEI) to usual care is not cost-effective compared to usual care in patients with acute sciatica (< 8 weeks) from a societal perspective in a Dutch healthcare setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION Dutch National trial register: NTR4457 (March, 6th, 2014).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastiaan C Ter Meulen
- Department of Neurology at OLVG Teaching Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute Musculoskeletal Health, De Boelelaan 1089a, 1081, HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Esther T Maas
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute Musculoskeletal Health, De Boelelaan 1089a, 1081, HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rien van der Vegt
- Department of Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology Zaans MC, Zaandam, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Haumann
- Department of Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology, OLVG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henry C Weinstein
- Department of Neurology at OLVG Teaching Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Raymond W J G Ostelo
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute Musculoskeletal Health, De Boelelaan 1089a, 1081, HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081, HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna M van Dongen
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute Musculoskeletal Health, De Boelelaan 1089a, 1081, HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Ter Meulen BC, van Dongen JM, Maas E, van de Vegt MH, Haumann J, Weinstein HC, Ostelo R. Author's Reply to the Letter of Van Boxem, Van Gaag, Van Zundert, and Kallewaard, Entitled 'Response to Ter Meulen et al. Effect of Transforaminal Epidural Corticosteroid Injections in Acute Sciatica'. Clin J Pain 2024; 40:197-198. [PMID: 38126421 DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000001185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Bastiaan C Ter Meulen
- Department of Neurology at OLVG Teaching Hospital
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Sciences, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit, and the Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute Amsterdam
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and the Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute, Amsterdam
| | - Johanna M van Dongen
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Sciences, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit, and the Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute Amsterdam
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and the Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute, Amsterdam
| | - Esther Maas
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and the Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute, Amsterdam
| | | | - Johan Haumann
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, OLVG, Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | | | - Raymond Ostelo
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Sciences, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit, and the Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute Amsterdam
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and the Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute, Amsterdam
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Ter Meulen BC, van Dongen JM, Maas E, van de Vegt MH, Haumann J, Weinstein HC, Ostelo R. Effect of Transforaminal Epidural Corticosteroid Injections in Acute Sciatica: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Clin J Pain 2023; 39:654-662. [PMID: 37712323 DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000001155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TESIs) are widely administered for sciatica. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of TESIs in patients with acute sciatica (<8 wk). METHODS This study was conducted in 2 Dutch hospitals. Participants (n=141) were randomly assigned to (1) usual care and TESI of 1 ml of 40 mg/ml Methylprednisolone plus 1 ml of 0.5% Levobupivacaine (intervention 1); (2) usual care and transforaminal epidural injection with 1 ml of 0.5% Levobupivacaine and 1 ml NaCl 0.9% (intervention 2); (3) usual care consisting of oral pain medication with or without physiotherapy (control). Co-primary outcomes were back pain and leg pain intensity, physical functioning, and recovery measured during 6-month follow-up. RESULTS There were no statistically significant mean differences in co-primary outcomes between groups during follow-up, except for leg pain when comparing intervention group 1 with control (-0.96 95%CI:-1.83 to -0.09). For secondary outcomes, some statistical significant between-group differences were found for treatment satisfaction and surgery, but only when comparing intervention group 2 to control. Post hoc analyses showed a statistically significant difference in response [50% improvement of leg pain (yes/no)] between intervention 1 and the control group at 3 months and that both intervention groups used less opioids. DISCUSSION Except for a statistically significant effect of TESI on leg pain for patients with acute sciatica compared with usual care, there were no differences in co-primary outcomes. Nonetheless, transforaminal epidural injections seem to be associated with less opioid use, which warrants further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastiaan C Ter Meulen
- Department of Neurology at OLVG Teaching Hospital
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Sciences, Amsterdam UMC
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and the Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute, Amsterdam
| | - Johanna M van Dongen
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Sciences, Amsterdam UMC
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and the Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute, Amsterdam
| | - Esther Maas
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and the Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute, Amsterdam
| | | | - Johan Haumann
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, OLVG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Raymond Ostelo
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Sciences, Amsterdam UMC
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and the Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute, Amsterdam
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Vis PJ, Goudriaan AE, Ter Meulen BC, Blom JD. On Perception and Consciousness in HPPD: A Systematic Review. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:675768. [PMID: 34456666 PMCID: PMC8385145 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.675768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD) features as a diagnostic category in the DSM-5, ICD-11, and other major classifications, but our knowledge of the phenomenology of the perceptual symptoms involved and the changes in consciousness during the characteristic “flashbacks” is limited. We systematically evaluated original case reports and case series on HPPD to define its phenomenology, associated (psycho)pathology, and course. Our search of PubMed and Embase yielded 66 relevant publications that described 97 people who, together, experienced 64 unique symptoms of HPPD. Of these, 76% concerned symptoms characteristic of Alice in Wonderland syndrome, over 50% non-visual symptoms, and 38% perceptual symptoms not clearly linked to prior intoxication states. This is in contrast with the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for HPPD. Even though less than half of the patients showed a protracted disease course of over a year, a third achieved remission. However, in patients with co-occurring depression (with or without anxiety) HPPD symptoms persisted longer and treatment outcomes were more often negative. Thus, unlike the acute stages of psychedelic drug intoxication, which may be accompanied by altered states of consciousness, HPPD is rather characterized by changes in the content of consciousness and an attentional shift from exogenous to endogenous phenomena. Since HPPD is a more encompassing nosological entity than suggested in the DSM-5, we recommend expanding its diagnostic criteria. In addition, we make recommendations for clinical practice and future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter J Vis
- Department of Neurology, Zaans Medical Centre, Zaandam, Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Outpatient Clinic for Uncommon Psychiatric Syndromes, Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, The Hague, Netherlands
| | - Anneke E Goudriaan
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute for Addiction Research, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan C Ter Meulen
- Department of Neurology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis Teaching Hospital, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jan Dirk Blom
- Outpatient Clinic for Uncommon Psychiatric Syndromes, Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, The Hague, Netherlands.,Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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Zonjee VJ, Slenders JPL, de Beer F, Visser MC, Ter Meulen BC, Van den Berg-Vos RM, van Schaik SM. Practice variation in the informed consent procedure for thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke: a survey among neurologists and neurology residents. BMC Med Ethics 2021; 22:114. [PMID: 34433444 PMCID: PMC8390276 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-021-00684-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Obtaining informed consent for intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke can be challenging, and little is known about if and how the informed consent procedure is performed by neurologists in clinical practice. This study examines the procedure of informed consent for intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke in high-volume stroke centers in the Netherlands. Methods In four high volume stroke centers, neurology residents and attending neurologists received an online questionnaire concerning informed consent for thrombolysis with tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA). The respondents were asked to report their usual informed consent practice for tPA treatment and their considerations on whether informed consent should be obtained. Results From the 203 invited clinicians, 50% (n = 101) completed the questionnaire. One-third of the neurology residents (n = 21) and 21% of the neurologists (n = 8) reported that they always obtain informed consent for tPA treatment. If a patient is not capable of providing informed consent, 30% of the residents (n = 19) reported that they start tPA treatment without informed consent. In these circumstances, 53% of the neurologists (n = 20) reported that the resident under their supervision would start tPA treatment without informed consent. Most neurologists (n = 21; 55%) and neurology residents (n = 45; 72%) obtained informed consent within one minute. None of the respondents used more than five minutes for informed consent. Important themes regarding obtaining informed consent for treatment were patients’ capacity, and medical, ethical and legal considerations. Conclusion The current practice of informed consent for thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke varies among neurologists and neurology residents. If informed consent is obtained, most clinicians stated to obtain informed consent within one minute. In the future, a shortened information provision process may be applied, making a shift from informed consent to informed refusal, while still considering the patient’s capacity, stroke severity, and possible treatment delays. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12910-021-00684-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentijn J Zonjee
- Department of Neurology, OLVG, Jan Tooropstraat 164, 1061 AE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Jos P L Slenders
- Department of Neurology, OLVG, Jan Tooropstraat 164, 1061 AE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frank de Beer
- Department of Neurology, Spaarne Gasthuis, Haarlem, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke C Visser
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan C Ter Meulen
- Department of Neurology, OLVG, Jan Tooropstraat 164, 1061 AE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Renske M Van den Berg-Vos
- Department of Neurology, OLVG, Jan Tooropstraat 164, 1061 AE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sander M van Schaik
- Department of Neurology, OLVG, Jan Tooropstraat 164, 1061 AE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Blom JD, Ter Meulen BC, Dool J, Ffytche DH. A century of prosopometamorphopsia studies. Cortex 2021; 139:298-308. [PMID: 33865569 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Prosopometamorphopsia is an extremely rare disorder of visual perception characterised by facial distortions. We here review 81 cases (eight new ones and 73 cases published over the past century) to shed light on the perception of face gestalts. Our analysis indicates that the brain systems underlying the perception of face gestalts have genuine network properties, in the sense that they are widely disseminated and built such that spatially normal perception of faces can be maintained even when large parts of the network are compromised. We found that bilateral facial distortions were primarily associated with right-sided and bilateral occipital lesions, and unilateral facial distortions with lesions ipsilateral to the distorted hemifield and with the splenium of the corpus callosum. We also found tentative evidence for the involvement of the left frontal regions in the fusing of vertical hemi-images of faces, and of right parietal regions in the fusing of horizontal hemi-images. Evidence supporting the remarkable adaptability of the network comes from the relatively high recovery rates that we found, from the ipsilateral hemifield predominance of hemi-prosopometamorphopsia, and from a phenomenon called cerebral asthenopia (heightened visual fatigability) which points to the dynamic nature of compensatory mechanisms maintaining normal face perception, even in chronic cases of prosopometamorphopsia. Finally, our analysis suggests that specialised networks for the representation of face gestalts in familiar-versus-unfamiliar faces and for own-versus-other face may be present, although this is in need of further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Dirk Blom
- Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, The Hague, the Netherlands; Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | | | - Jitze Dool
- Department of Neurology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Dominic H Ffytche
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Camberwell, London, UK.
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Ter Meulen BC, van Dongen JM, van der Vegt M, Weinstein HC, Ostelo RWJG. STeroids Against Radiculopathy (STAR) trial: a statistical analysis plan. Trials 2021; 22:80. [PMID: 33482888 PMCID: PMC7821662 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-05018-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transforaminal epidural injections with steroids (TESI) are used increasingly for patients with sciatica. However, their safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness are still a matter of debate. This a priori statistical analysis plan describes the methodology of the analysis for the STAR trial that assesses the (cost-)effectiveness of TESI during the acute stage of sciatica (< 8 weeks). METHODS The STAR trial is a multicentre, randomized controlled, prospective trial (RCT) investigating the (cost-)effectiveness of TESI by making a three-group comparison among patients with acute sciatica due to a herniated lumbar disc (< 8 weeks): (1) TESI combined with levobupivacaine added to oral pain medication (intervention group 1) versus oral pain medication alone (control group), (2) intervention group 1 versus transforaminal epidural injection with levobupivacaine and saline solution added to oral pain medication (intervention group 2), and (3) intervention group 2 versus control group. Co-primary outcomes were physical functioning (Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire), pain intensity (10-point numerical rating scale), and global perceived recovery (7-point Likert scale, dichotomized into 'recovered' and 'not recovered'). For all three comparisons, we defined the following minimal clinically relevant between-group differences: two points for pain intensity (range 0-10), four points for physical functioning (range 0-24) and a 20% difference in recovery rate. Secondary outcomes are health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) and patient satisfaction (7-point Likert scale) and surgery rate. We also collected resource use data to perform an economic evaluation. Analyses will be conducted by intention-to-treat with p < 0.05 (two-tailed) for all three comparisons. Effects will be estimated using mixed models by maximum likelihood. For each comparison, mean differences, or difference in proportions, between groups will be tested per time point and an overall mean difference, or difference in proportions, between groups during the complete duration of follow-up (6 months) will be estimated. In the economic evaluation, Multivariate Imputation by Chained Equations will be used to handle missing data. Cost and effect differences will be estimated using seemingly unrelated regression, and uncertainty will be estimated using bootstrapping techniques. DISCUSSION This statistical analysis plan provides detailed information on the intended analysis of the STAR trial, which aims to deliver evidence about the (cost-)effectiveness of TESI during the acute phase of sciatica (< 8 weeks). TRIAL REGISTRATION Dutch National trial register NTR4457 (6 March 2014).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastiaan C Ter Meulen
- Department of Neurology, OLVG Amsterdam, Jan Tooropstraat 164, 1061 AE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelenlaan 1089a, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Johanna M van Dongen
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, de Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Henry C Weinstein
- Department of Neurology, OLVG Amsterdam, Jan Tooropstraat 164, 1061 AE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Raymond W J G Ostelo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelenlaan 1089a, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, de Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Naarden T, Ter Meulen BC, van der Weele SI, Blom JD. Alice in Wonderland Syndrome as a Presenting Manifestation of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. Front Neurol 2019; 10:473. [PMID: 31143156 PMCID: PMC6521793 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by distortions of visual perception (metamorphopsias), the body image, and the experience of time, along with derealization and depersonalization. Some 85% of patients present with perceptual distortions in a single sensory modality, e.g., only visual or only somesthetic in nature. Moreover, the majority experience only a single type of distortion, e.g., only micropsia or only macropsia. AIWS has many different etiologies, and hence an extensive differential diagnosis. Its amenability to treatment depends on the underlying pathological process, which in children is mostly encephalitis, and in adults, migraine. In the literature, no more than 180 “clinical” cases of AIWS have been described (i.e., cases in need of medical attention). Of them, some 50% showed a favorable prognosis. However, non-clinical cases (i.e., fleeting, transient cases of AIWS for which no professional help is needed) have been described in up to 30% of the general population. This indicates that AIWS is perhaps not as rare as traditionally assumed, and has led some authors to conclude that, prognostically, AIWS is usually harmless. Methods: From our own clinical practice, we describe the first known case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD, Heidenhain variant) that presented with symptoms of AIWS. Results: In our patient, disease onset was sudden and rapidly progressive, starting with isolated visual symptoms. Symptoms of AIWS comprised akinetopsia, chloropsia, micropsia, macropsia, zoom vision, and time distortions (quick-motion phenomenon and protracted duration). Soon, these were complicated by paraesthesias, gait instability, aphasia, expressive amusia, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes in the form of agitation and emotional lability. The diagnosis of probable sporadic CJD was confirmed with the aid of a head MRI and cerebrospinal fluid (14-3-3 protein). In the absence of any treatment options, our patient was discharged home and died within 2 months after his visual symptoms had begun. Autopsy consent was not obtained. Conclusion: We conclude that AIWS is not always as harmless as sometimes suggested, and that CJD, although extremely rare, must be part of its extensive differential diagnosis, notably in the presence of rapid cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tirza Naarden
- Department of Neurology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan C Ter Meulen
- Department of Neurology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Zaans Medisch Centrum, Zaandam, Netherlands
| | | | - Jan Dirk Blom
- Outpatient Clinic for Uncommon Psychiatric Syndromes, Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, The Hague, Netherlands.,Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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Jungen MJ, Ter Meulen BC, van Osch T, Weinstein HC, Ostelo RWJG. Inflammatory biomarkers in patients with sciatica: a systematic review. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2019; 20:156. [PMID: 30967132 PMCID: PMC6456959 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-019-2541-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This systematic review focusses on inflammation as an underlying pathogenic mechanism in sciatica. We addressed two questions in particular: (1) what inflammatory biomarkers have been identified in patients with sciatica in the literature so far? 2) is there an association between the level of inflammatory activity and clinical symptoms? METHODS The search was conducted up to December 19th 2018 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and Web of Science. The study selection criteria: (1) observational cohort studies, cross-sectional studies and randomized clinical trials (RCT), (2) adult population (≥ 18 years) population with sciatica, (3) concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers measured in serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or biopsies, and (4) evaluation of clinically relevant outcome measures (pain or functional status). Three reviewers independently selected studies and extracted data regarding the study characteristics and the outcomes. Risk of Bias was evaluated using an adjusted version of the Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool. RESULTS In total 16 articles fulfilled the criteria for inclusion: 7 cross sectional observational studies and 9 prospective cohort studies that included a total of 1212 patients. With regard to question 1) the following markers were identified: interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, IL-21, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), phospholipase A2, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), C-X-C motif chemokine 5 (CXCM5), CX3CL1, CCL2, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and monocyte chemotactic protein 4 (MCP-4). With regard to question 2) several positive correlations were found in longitudinal studies: a strong positive correlation between inflammatory mediators or byproducts and pain (measured by visual analogue scale, VAS) was found for IL-21 in two studies (r > 0,8), and moderate positive correlations for TNF-a in both serum (r = 0,629) and biopsy (r = 0.65); severe pain (VAS > 4) is associated with increased hsCRP levels among patients with sciatica (adjusted OR = 3.4 (95% CI, 1.1 to 10). CONCLUSION In this systematic review there was considerable heterogeneity in the type of biomarkers and in the clinical measurements in the included studies. Taking into account the overall risk of bias of the included studies there is insufficient evidence to draw firm conclusions regarding the relationship between inflammation and clinical symptoms in patients with sciatica.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bastiaan C Ter Meulen
- Department of Neurology, OLVG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Department of Neurology, Zaans Medisch Centrum, Zaandam, The Netherlands.
| | - Tim van Osch
- Department of Neurology, OLVG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henry C Weinstein
- Department of Neurology, OLVG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Zaans Medisch Centrum, Zaandam, The Netherlands
| | - Raymond W J G Ostelo
- Department of Health Sciences, VU University, De Boelelaan, 1081, Amsterdam, HV, Netherlands.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, De Boelelaan, 1081, Amsterdam, HV, Netherlands
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Abstract
Ethical dilemmas in general are characterised by a choice between two mutually excluding options neither of which is satisfactory, because there always will be a form of moral damage. Within the context of medicine several ethics support services have been developed to support healthcare professionals in dealing with ethical dilemmas, including moral case deliberation. In this article, we describe how moral case deliberation works in daily practice, illustrated with a case example from the neurology ward. The article is meant as an introduction to moral case deliberation according to the dilemma method. We show its relevance to the clinic and the context needed to put it into practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Y B Tan
- Department of Neurology, OLVG Locatie West, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan C Ter Meulen
- Department of Neurology, OLVG Locatie West, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Zaans Medical Center, Zaandam, The Netherlands
| | - Albert Molewijk
- Department of Medical Humanities, VU University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Center for Medical Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Guy Widdershoven
- Department of Medical Humanities, VU University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Ter Meulen BC, Maas ET, Vyas A, van der Vegt M, de Priester K, de Boer MR, van Tulder MW, Weinstein HC, Ostelo RWJG. Treatment of acute sciatica with transforaminal epidural corticosteroids and local anesthetic: design of a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2017; 18:215. [PMID: 28545491 PMCID: PMC5445356 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-017-1571-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transforaminal epidural injections with steroids (TESI) are used increasingly for patients with sciatica. However there is much debate about their safety and effectiveness. It is important to identify patients that benefit most from TESI and only few trials have yet evaluated the effects in patients with acute sciatica. Methods We describe a prospective, randomized controlled trial (RCT), with the aim to evaluate the hypothesis that TESI plus Levobupivacaine (TESI-plus) added to oral pain medication is more effective compared to pain medication alone or compared to transforaminal injection with a local anesthetic of short duration among patients with acute sciatica. We will recruit a total of 264 patients with sciatica (<8 weeks) caused by a herniated disc, from two clinical sites. Participants are randomly assigned one of three study groups: 1) oral pain medication (control group), 2) oral pain medication and TESI-plus (intervention group one), 3) oral pain medication and transforaminal epidural injection (TEI) with Levobupivaine and saline solution (intervention group two). Primary outcomes are functional status (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire), pain intensity for both leg and back, (100 mm visual analogous scale (VAS)), and global perceived recovery (GPR, reported on a 7-point Likert scale, dichotomized into ‘recovered’ and ‘not recovered’). The secondary outcomes are health-related quality of life (EQ5D-5 L) and patient satisfaction (7-point Likert scale). We will also collect information on healthcare utilization and costs, to perform an economic evaluation. All outcomes are measured at three and six weeks, three and six months after randomization. We defined a minimal clinically relevant difference between groups as a difference between both intervention groups and the control group of 20 points for pain (100-point VAS), four points for functional status (24-point RDQ) and a 20% difference on dichotomized GPR (recovered versus not recovered). Discussion A clinically relevant outcome in favor of TESI-plus implies that future patients with acute sciatica should be recommended TESI-plus within the first few weeks rather than being treated with pain medication alone in order to relieve pain and improve their functioning. In case of a negative result (no relevant differences in outcome between the three study arms), pain medication will remain the mainstay of treatment in the acute stages of sciatica. Trial registration Dutch National trial register: NTR4457 (March, 6th, 2014)
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastiaan C Ter Meulen
- Department of Neurology, Zaans Medisch Centrum, Zaandam and Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Esther T Maas
- Department of Health Sciences and the EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Amrita Vyas
- Department of Neurology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Koo de Priester
- Department of Radiology Zaans Medisch Centrum, Zaandam, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel R de Boer
- Department of Health Sciences and the EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maurits W van Tulder
- Department of Health Sciences and the EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henry C Weinstein
- Department of Neurology, Zaans Medisch Centrum, Zaandam and Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Raymond W J G Ostelo
- Department of Health Sciences and the EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Ter Meulen BC, Weinstein H, Ostelo R, Koehler PJ. The Epidural Treatment of Sciatica: Its Origin and Evolution. Eur Neurol 2016; 75:58-64. [DOI: 10.1159/000443729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Ter Meulen BC, Weinstein H, Ostelo R, Koehler PJ. Author's Reply to the Letter of Manchikanti and Hirsch, Entitled ‘Evolution of the Epidural Treatment of Sciatica Provides Excellent Historic Review with Incomplete Modern Evidence'. Eur Neurol 2016; 75:227-8. [DOI: 10.1159/000445886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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